Cooled cable and connector puts super-fast charging of electric cars within reach

Huber+Suhner has developed a cooled cable and connector that enables High Power Charging of electric vehicles. This development can multiply the power-throughput of a charging cable and keep charging times below 20 minutes (80% state of charge) even with big battery packs of new electric vehicles and trucks. With the release of the next generation of long range electric vehicles present, fast-charging stations running with a power of 50kW and a current of 120A will lead to charging times up to one hour. With the new cooled cable system, currents of up to 500A or higher are possible while still providing a flexible, small-diameter and low-weight cable solution. This perfectly matches the High Power Charging stations currently under development that are said to provide 350 kW with charging currents of 350A or more. The company is convinced that the cooled cable and connector will support and accelerate the demand for environmentally friendly electric vehicles, as long charge times are a key factor in negatively influencing a person’s decision to purchase one. “Our cooled cables and connectors will make rapid charge times for all electric cars absolutely feasible,” said Frank Rothe, head of the automotive market unit at Huber+Suhner. “With environmentally conscious vehicles becoming more and more popular in the mainstream, this is the next step in making purchasing an electric vehicle the norm.” The company’s cooled cables are highly flexible, lightweight and easy to handle – traits that traditional high-current cables lack. Thanks to an integrated cooling circuit, they also offer a much smaller cable cross section than the traditional option. “We are excited to offer the cooled cable with Combined Charging System (CCS) type-1 and type-2 connectors and, since Huber+Suhner is committed to tailoring the best possible solution for each individual situation, we are always happy to discuss custom designs with our partners.” added Rothe.